After a brief lull in the great Kenyan media migration, a fresh exodus is looming at Mediamax Network Ltd with at least 15 editors, presenters and reporters said to be on their way out.
According to reliable sources, the staffers – all working for Kameme TV – are headed to a new Kikuyu language TV station set to be unveiled by moneyed Kirinyaga Women Representative Purity Wangui Ngirici.
The move will deal a blow to the station, which has been fighting to match Royal Media Services’ Inooro TV. The staffers are said to have landed better packages.
“As today, 15 editors, presenters and reporters are on the way out. Confirmed. They say they are being offered better packages,” said our source.
The exodus comes at a time Peter Opondo, who returned to the Kijabe Street-based media house, which is associated with President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, is on a rebuilding mission to position the business as a profit-making venture.
Mediamax recently suffered a blow when key anchors and editors such as Richard Kagoe, Zawadi Mudibo, Ian Wafula and Maya Hayakawa all left for the BBC.
However, it also staged a coup by snatching popular KTN News anchor Betty Kyalo, who is set to be unveiled when K24 relaunches sometime this month, and radio presenters Alex Mwakideu (Radio Maisha), Joyce Gituro, Francis Luchivya, Jacky Nyaminde aka Wilbroda (all from Citizen Radio) and Felix Odiwuor aka Jalang’o (Hot 96), who all joined Milele FM.
There are also reports of more hirings including Citizen TV’s Anne Kiguta. Karen Knaust, who took a break from the screens last year to be with her fiancé has also returned while Shiksha Arora has joined from East FM. She made her debut on Monday.
On the other hand, Kiama Mwaura has left for Inooro TV, which could, however, lose popular presenters Ken Wakuraya, Muthoni Mukiri, Medical show ‘Dagitari’ host, DJ Smile and Nyambura Kabue to its rival.
Sources indicated Opondo is concerned about why the exits have gained momentum barely four months since he rejoined the media house.
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